UNC faces Wolfpack in lone Rivalry Showdown

by Sharon Thorsland

North Carolina will only play NC State once this season, the first time since 1919 that the teams won’t play twice during the regular season. That’s a byproduct of the unfortunate ACC expansion, and fans certainly aren’t happy about it. That makes Tuesday night’s game in Raleigh even bigger than it would normally be. The 15th ranked Tar Heels (20-5, 8-4 ACC) are coming off a blowout win over Pitt, while the Wolfpack (18-8, 9-4) have lost two straight after getting blown out by Louisville. Tip-off is set for 7:00 on WBT.

State has a new head coach this season in Will Wade, formerly of McNeese State and LSU. He’s been talking smack about the Tar Heels from day one of taking the job, and he’s certainly turned around the Wolfpack, who finished 5-15 last season in league play but now are in the mix for a double bye in the ACC Tournament. They’ve lost some marquee games (Texas, Kansas and Auburn) but have picked up some big wins in the conference and can light you up from behind the arc. The Wolfpack lead the ACC in 3-point shooting and are 6th in the nation at 39.4%. Leading the way is McNeese transfer Quadir Copeland, who is shooting over 42% from behind the arc. Three other players average over 40% from three, and all five Wolfpack starters average double-figure scoring. On top of that, former UNC big man Ven Allen Lubin is leading the ACC in field goal percentage and is averaging 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Star player Darrion Williams is averaging 14.2 points a game, and as a team, the Wolfpack puts up 85 points and over 10 3-pointers per game. Defending the perimeter has been a problem for the Tar Heels this season, they’re last in the ACC in 3-point defense. They’ll need to tighten that up to have a chance to win – State is 11-1 in games when they shoot over 40% from three and just 7-7 in games they don’t.

State’s biggest weakness comes on the defensive side of the floor – their lack of size inside has led to struggles on the boards and guarding in the paint. Lubin starts at center for the Wolfpack and he’s only 6’9. Of course, the Tar Heels are without star freshman Caleb Wilson, and could be without 7-footer Henri Veesaar, who has been battling the flu and a lower body injury. If Veesaar can play, that would be a huge advantage for the Tar Heels inside. The Heels had plenty of other guys step up against Pitt, including Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson, and they’ll need to be key contributors again tonight if Veesaar is out again.

This is no doubt a rivalry game but the outcomes have been one-sided. In the last 20 years, UNC is 33-7 against NC State, and the Tar Heels have won seven of the last nine under Hubert Davis. While this iteration of the Wolfpack is certainly strong, UNC has the talent to win, even without Wilson and Veesaar. I say they get it done – go Tar Heels!